Explore Minnesota Fishing Report August 8, 2013 Fishing action is steadily increasing now that weather conditions have stabilized. Many species are coming from slightly deeper waters. The largest walleyes are being taken when using a slow presentation. Beautiful and mostly sunny weather is expected to continue, with daytime temperatures in the mid-70s --perfect for a day out on the water!
This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism, with information provided by statewide tourism organizations and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Smallmouth bass action has been excellent, with artificials working well at the surface. Walleye anglers have been finding fish on the submerged reefs in 25-35 feet of water when using crawlers and leeches. On the Rainy River, walleye fishing has been good above the dam and around the Ranier Rapids. River walleyes have been hanging near the deep holes and rock structure where there is some current, with fish generally responding best to shiner minnows. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Water remains roughly 68- to 70-degrees on lakes Kabetogama and Namakan. Beautiful and mostly sunny weather is expected to continue, with daytime temperatures in the mid-70s. The walleye bite has been in a bit of a slump and it's been hard try to find a consistent pattern; jig and minnow some days, rig and crawler other days. Anglers are having the most success using a rig and crawler at 17-22 feet, and a jig and minnow at 28-35 feet, especially during morning and evening hours on Kabetogama. Smallmouth bass and northern pike are hitting lures off the shorelines and weed edges. Surface lures have been best for both locations. Pike anglers will want to concentrate on shoreline depths of 12-15 feet. Perch and sauger are keeping anglers busy, providing walleye anglers some additional action. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comTower -Lake Vermilion
Lake Vermilion is giving up walleye to anglers using live bait on the main lake humps, deep gravel and deep mud. A slip sinker and float in front of the hook has been helpful in order to raise the bait above the pesky crayfish. Lots of bass are being pulled from under the docks, and the west end docks are giving up both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Slip bobbers and live bait have been best, especially at the rocky humps topping out at around 8 feet. Northern pike are very active at the deep weed edges, with smaller spinners being productive. For the most fish, try a white mepps tipped with a white twister tail; for the larger pike, focus on the deep humps using live bait. Muskie anglers are taking fish from the weed edges and shorelines when using topwater lures. And panfish anglers are having a blast in the weedy bays when using live bait.
www.lakevermilionresorts.comEly
Crappie fishing has begun to heat up on some area lakes, and anglers are boasting of 2-pound crappies. Smallmouth bass have been active as well, smashing surface lures early and late in the day. They are consistently hitting shallow-running plugs worked down to 10 feet during the day. Some hefty northern pike, measuring up to 40-inches, have been registered in the past week. Spoons, large plugs and live suckers are all producing fish, especially on the weed edges and rocky points in depths of 3-15 feet of water. Lake trout weighing up to 12-pounds have been hitting trolled spoons in 35-55 feet of water. 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
During a recent fishing contest, winning walleyes ranged from 5- to 8-pounds, with the largest coming from Gunflint Trail lakes. Gunflint Lake gave up quite a few large walleye to anglers using minnows. Lots of 5-pound northern are coming from most area lakes. For the most action, use spoons and jigs in waters roughly 15 feet deep. Off the Lake Superior shoreline, a 17-pound lake trout was taken from 90 foot depths near shore, just east of Grand Marais. Area charter captains can help you pinpoint these fish. Smallmouth bass action has been spectacular, with a 4-pounder was caught by a youngster using a nightcrawler on Tait Lake, located north of Lutsen.
www.VisitCookCounty.comDuluth/Grand Marais -Lake Superior
As of late last week, along the lower shore from Duluth to Two Harbors, water temperatures had dropped to 50- to 54-degrees. Near Duluth, average catches per boat included four to eight lake trout, a chinook salmon or two, and no coho salmon. Angler effort was moderate in the Knife River to Two Harbors area, with many 18- to 20-inch cohos, some lakers, a few chinooks and an occasional steelhead or pink salmon being reported. Fishing methods and depths varied considerably, but catches were more prevalent higher in the water column. Anglers were using a mix of stickbaits and spoons. Along the upper shore from Twin Points to Hovland, fishing effort was moderate to heavy. Anglers at Silver Bay caught steady numbers of cohos and chinooks in near shore waters in the top 70 feet of water. Lakers were scattered throughout the deeper waters, with anglers reporting fish in the 4- to 8-pound range, as well as some larger fish caught further off shore. Surface water temperatures from Silver Bay and Twin Points were in the upper 40s to low 50s; surface temperatures at near shore locations near Taconite Harbor, Grand Marais and Hovland were in the low 40s. Anglers from all stations have reported fair numbers of 2- to 8-pound chinooks, but fewer cohos north of Silver Bay. Grand Marais anglers found decent numbers of lake trout scattered in the deeper waters. Anglers at all stations reported an occasional steelhead. Lake Superior Fisheries Management.
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Summer fishing has been good on all sides of Lake of the Woods, with trophies, slot fish, and eating-sized fish all being taken. Many charter boats have been downrigging with good results. Anglers trolling crankbaits through 30-33 feet of water in the mud basin north of Long Point, near Garden and Knight Island, and 10-15 miles north of Pine Island have had success. Drifting with hammered gold spinners baited with crawlers has also been effective when starting at the reef edges and working out to 19-26 feet of water; productive areas have been from Long Point to Rocky Point, at Stony Point, and near the gaps. Bottom bouncers with 2- to 2.5-ounces of weight have been working well in 30-32 feet of water over the mud flats. Anchoring with a 3/8-ounce jig and frozen shiner has been good in 30-34 feet of water near the Canadian line north of Pine Island, and by Zippel Bay. Up at the Northwest Angle, hot spots include Johnston Passage, Skeet, Little Oak, and Four Blocks. For the most fish, try drifting with spinners in 10-12 feet or 18-22 feet, jumping from reef to reef. Crappies and perch are also being taken by walleye anglers. Muskie fishing has been best during evening hours near Falcon Island. The best approach has been a double cowgirl or Danny bait. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com,
www.warroad.orgBemidji
Lakes in the Bemidji area continue the fall-like cool down, with surface water temperatures dropping into the 60s in most lakes. Walleye fishing remains a bit slow, despite the cool water temperatures. Most anglers expect the walleye bite to pick up very soon if the predicted cooler weather pattern persists. Anglers are finding good numbers of perch, largemouth bass, northern pike and sunfish. The walleye fishing has been spotty, with a good bite for short periods of time when the conditions are just right. The best walleye bite has been on Lake Winnibigoshish. Anglers' best hope is to find a school of walleyes using their electronics in deeper waters. Once located, make several passes through using different presentations until you find something that triggers a few bites. Another option is to take the multi-species approach and use a jig and minnow in the shallows; the result is generally good perch action, with a few walleyes and northern pike mixed in. Muskie fishing remains tough in most lakes. For the most action, fish on somewhat cloudy days when the waters aren't as clear. Crappie fishing has also been tough during the day, with crappies moving into the weed beds right at dusk. 800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
Fishing has been picking up, with anglers taking nice eating-sized walleye from depths of 6-8 feet on Cass Lake. Minnows and crawlers are producing the majority of fish. During evening hours, try a shad rap or rapala off the weed lines. 800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
The Big Winnie walleye bite is currently very good! Trolling has been best now that the water is clearer on Lake Winnibigoshish. Spinners tipped with crawlers or leeches, long-lined behind the boat over deeper weed lines is the best method. Reports indicate a mixed bag of slot and keeper-sized fish coming from the same locations, with some large perch mixed in. Look to the tops of most of the main lake bars, then back off from the edges roughly 200 yards to half a mile or so. Set your bait to tick the weed tops in 13-15 feet of water. Bena, Moses and Center have been good locations, as well as the Tamarac Bay weedlines in 10-14 feet off the river channel. Spinner colors seem to change a bit daily, but good starting points are gold or silver blades, adjusting colors depending on whether the day is sunny or cloudy. Speeds can be varied all the way up to 2.5 mph, but no more. Some of the same weed beds are also giving up large northern pike to anglers trolling large crankbaits. Panfish are still going strong on the smaller area lakes, especially during lowlight hours. For the most fish, check outside the deeper weed edges of Big and Little Cutfoot, as well as Portage, Six Mile and Little Ball Club lakes.
www.lakewinnie.netWalker - Leech Lake
The cooler than normal temperatures the last couple of weeks has caused the Leech Lake water temperatures to drop as much as 10- to 15-degrees. These cooler temperatures have also led to better fishing. Anglers report more active fish throughout the lake. Productive techniques include trolling with spinnerbaits, and working lindy rigs with crawlers in the main lake. In Walker Bay, fish during early evening hours. Some anglers are starting to use jigs tipped with a large minnow along the shoreline breaks. Muskie action has started to improve for anglers throwing small bucktails and cowgirls around Big Rock Reef and in the Pelican Island area. The weather is forecasted to remain cool and refreshing. With the fish turning more active, hit the water for a relaxing trip before all of the fall sports season practices begin! 800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
The walleye bite has been strong for those anglers willing to pick weeds from their lures. Anglers are pulling fish from the shallow weed cover, and the more active fish are coming out of the weed cover to feed. Once you have located fish, switch your presentation to a lightweight jig and leech. Walleye are often sensitive to sound and your electronic depth finders may need to be turned off to silence the clicking noise. Anchor or use the wind to your advantage to drift past a school of fish, and avoid using the trolling motor. Giant muskies are coming from the deep growing cabbage weeds on inline bucktail spinners. Largemouth bass are attacking weedless 1/2-ounce jigs with a trailer, spinnerbaits and crankbaits when worked at the lily pads and pencil reeds. For the deeper bass, watch your electronics for the thickest patch of coontail or cabbage weeds, and place a "Texas rigged" plastic worm with a slightly heavier weight as near to the strike zone as possible. This is a great time to catch a trophy-sized bass. Crappies have been relatively easy to locate since they continue to feed heavily in and around the cabbage weed stands. A 1/16th-ounce flu flu tipped with a small leech is producing good numbers when worked in depths of 5-20 feet of water. Lots of jumbo perch are coming from depths of 20-30 feet over a gravel bottom. Again, a flu flu and leech will entice them to bite, but use a 1/8th-ounce jig to get it to the appropriate depth. Cool but stable weather conditions with a west to northwest wind are in the forecast for the next week or so. As the old adage goes, "When the wind is from the west, the fishing is the best..." and this should prove true in the coming days. Bring a fall coat or sweatshirt when heading out in the morning or in the evening! 800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.com Detroit Lakes
As of late last week, water temperatures had dropped to roughly 70-degrees. Fishing has improved immensely now that weather conditions have remained stable for a while. Most walleyes have been coming from the breaks where deep water meets long extending points and mid-lake structure. For the most fish, check depths of 15-25 feet using live bait rigs or spinners with leeches or crawlers. Panfish have been very active in the weeds, and northern pike have been very active on the flats, hitting fast moving presentations. Muskie anglers have had lots of success with 40- to 48-inch fish when pitching bait to the weed beds on Big Detroit, Sallie and Pelican lakes. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Glenwood
Lake Minnewaska is giving up limits of nice-sized sunfish. For the most fish, use worms with small jigs in 12 feet of water. Bass and northern pike are also providing lots of activity on Minnewaska. Walleye action has slowed for all area lakes. 320/634-3636
Whitefish - Whitefish Chain of Lakes Region
As of late last week, the walleye bite had slowed on area lakes. Anglers that had success used lindy rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers, as well as a jig and minnow combination. Early in the morning and near sundown or later were the most productive times. Midday anglers needed to fish deeper. Northern pike anglers were doing well when using larger minnows for the larger pike. For trophy-sized fish, deeper trolling rapalas, spinners and spoons were best at the outside weedlines. Bass remained very active, with the larger fish found in deeper waters and outside of the weed beds in roughly 18 feet of water. Live bait, spinnerbaits and plastics all worked well. Some very large sunfish were pulled from 18-20 foot depths on lindy rigs with a large leech. Minnows were also producing fish.www.whitefish.org
Pine River
Action has really picked up this week for walleye anglers. Lakes giving up nice numbers of walleye include Leech, Woman, Pine Mountain and some of the other walleye lakes in the area. Look for walleye in their usual summer haunts, either in the weedbeds or on the deep breaklines in 25-35 feet of water. The best approach has been a small spinner presentation with a leech or crawler, especially during early morning and late evening hours. Bass and northern pike have been very aggressive, hitting spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastics worked along the deep edges of the weedlines. Good-sized sunfish are being pulled from the mid-lake bars in 10-15 feet of water. Straight-line fishing with a 1/16-ounce jig and worm and no bobber is the best presentation. Crappies are coming from along the weed edges at sunrise and dusk. With steady weather, fishing will continue to provide good action on most area lakes. 800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Lake Mille Lacs fishing has been more challenging. As the weather begins to stabilize, fishing should to return to "normal" August levels; not great, but decent. After a front, it is wise to downsize your presentation and use a slower approach. Leeches under bobbers are still yielding fish, while anglers trolling with lead core or using crawlers with spinners are having a tougher time. Action has been best during the first and last light of the day. Most of the structure still holds fish, although some of the walleyes have moved off into slightly deeper waters. 888 -350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
Sunnies and crappies remain very active on Diamond, Eagle, Nest, North Long, Green and Little Point lakes. Anglers having the most success are working the healthy green weedlines in depths of 6-15 feet of water. Northern pike and bass continue to be pulled from most area lakes, with #7 and #8 shad raps and crankbaits now working best. Walleye action has been slow, although a few fish have recently been pulled from Diamond, Eagle and Green lakes. 800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan area
White Bear Area Lakes
Sunfish anglers are taking lots of fish from White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes when using waxworms, leeches and nightcrawlers in 5-15 feet of water. Crappies are also hitting on Bald Eagle Lake, taking crappie minnows from depths of 12-18 feet of water. Bass and northern pike have been very active on both lakes on the deeper edge of the weedlines; for the most action, use live bait or crankbaits. Walleye anglers are finding fish on Bald Eagle Lake when using fathead minnows and leeches during early morning and evening hours. On White Bear Lake, look for walleyes using minnows and leeches after dark. Muskies are just starting to hit on White Bear Lake, mostly at night. Bald Eagle Lake muskies have been very active during the day, hitting blade baits worked on the humps and long points. 651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Thursday, August 1, water conditions for Forestville Creek, Gribben Creek, Pine Creek, the South Fork Root River at Forestville State Park and the Million Dollar Bridge, Wisel Creek, Camp Creek and the Whitewater streams were mostly clear and normal. The South Branch Root River at Lanesboro was considered muddy with normal water levels. Off and normal conditions were reported for Duschee Creek. Blue-winged olives, size #20, were being seen later in the evening on cloudy days. Smallmouth action was described as slow, but some nice fish were being reported. As updates on stream conditions become available they will be posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
Fishing on Big Stone Lake has slowed a bit, partially due to a lack of anglers venturing out. Those that have headed out are catching an occasional walleye, as well as some perch when pulling crankbaits. Some anglers continue to work the traditional perch fishing spots such as Goose Isle, Grape Vine Reef, Windmill Reef and Mallard Point, with some decent catches being taken when anchored. There have also been some reports of nice bluegill, white bass and sheephead. Anglers should plan to hit the water before school starts! 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
